Umbrella having an electric lamp

ABSTRACT

An umbrella having a tubular stem, a handle member housing a power source attached to one end of the tubular stem, and an electric lamp mounted on the other end of the tubular stem, at the top of the umbrella. Water-proof seals are provided at each end of the hollow tubular stem by a solid terminal plug pressfitted into a synthetic resin sleeve which in turn is pressfitted into the tubular stem.

United States Patent [1 1 Okuda 51 Dec. 4, 1973 [54] UMBRELLA HAVING ANELECTRIC LAMP [76] lnventor; Shigekazu Okuda, Osaka-fu,

Japan [22] Filed: June 23, 1972 [21] Appl. No.1 265,605

[30] Foreign Priority Application Data July 7,1971 Japan 46/593l8' Dec.3, 1971 Japan ..46/l13750 [52] US. Cl. 240/6.42, 339/252 R, 339/276 R[51] Int. Cl. F21r 33/00 [58] Field of Search 240/6.42; 339/252 R,

339/252 T, 276 R, 276D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,507,919 5/1950 Maueo 240/6.42 X 1,795,268 3/1931 Thomases 754,6313/1904 Allen 1,659,346 2/ l 928 Beatty.... 1,051,370 1/1913 Hertz240/6.42

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 20,620 6/1918 France 240/642 PrimaryExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard M. SheerAttorney-Joseph M. Lane et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An umbrella having a tubular stem, a handle member housinga power source attached to one end of the tubular stem, and an electriclamp mounted on the other end of the tubular stem, at the top of theumbrella. Water-proof seals are provided at each end of the hollowtubular stem by a solid terminal plug press-fitted into a syntheticresin sleeve which in turn is pressfitted into the tubular stem.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENImnEc 4197a SHKU 1 BF 2 I FIG. 2

FIG.

PMENTED 41973 SHEU 2 BF 2 FIG.4

FIG. 3

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvedumbrella of the type having an electric lamp attached to its top towhich electric power is supplied from dry cells housed in a cavity ofthe handle.

This invention is concerned with the problems of traffic safety and, inparticular, the problem of pedestrian safety. Rainy nights, oftenaccompanied by fog, are occasions of extremely low visibility and,therefore, represent a high degree of danger to pedestrians.

Umbrellas equipped with electric lights, have previously been proposedas a means of increasing pedestrian safety. The prior art umbrellas ofthis type are generally of a structure having an electric wire runningthrough a hollow tubular stem portion of the umbrella. These umbrellasgenerally have spring actuated latching means mounted through thetubular stem. The apertures provided for these latching means allowwater to enter into the interior of the hollow stem, which ingressfrequently causes corrosion and failure at the electrical contacts.Also, these prior art umbrellas are not designed in such a manner tofacilitate repair or replacement of the electrical contacts.Furthermore, in the prior art umbrellas of this type the electric wirewithin the stem is slack. The slack wire tends to bind or jam latchingmeans located within the stem. The electrical wiring also tends to bindon pins inserted through the tube for securing the latching means,handle and other attachments to the umbrella.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with thepresent invention anumbrella carrying an electric light mounted at its upper extremity, onone end of a tubular stem, and having a power source housed within itshandle, is provided with watertight seals at both ends of the tubularstem to protect the electrical contacts at the lamp and at the powersource from any water which might enter into the interior of the stemmember. The structure of the umbrella of the present invention includeselectrical wiring which connectsthe lamp with the power source and whichis in tension so as to avoid binding with latching members and otherattachmentsto the stem section. The water-tight seals at each end of thehollow tubular stem section are in the form of a metal plug, which alsoserves as an electrical contact, press-fitted into a resilient bushingor sleeve member which in turn is pressfitted into the hollow of thetubular stem member. The handle of the umbrella carries the power sourceand is provided with a switch for turning the electric light on and off.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved umbrella equipped with an electric light.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such anumbrella having a tubular midsection, sealed at both ends to protectelectrical contacts from water and corrosion.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such anumbrella having taut wiring arranged to avoid binding.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such anumbrella having easy access to the electrical contacts for purposes ofrepair.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the presentinvention will become apparent from the detailed description tofollow,.taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

'BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view, partially inlongitudinal crosssection, of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional partial enlarged view of the umbrella shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to the portion of FIG. 2 but showing anotherembodiment of the umbrella of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the umbrella, partially incross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show oneembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an umbrella having atubular midsection or stem 10 and an upper ferrule or bushing 12 whichis attached to the end of stem 10 by means of a pin 14. Mounted in theupper ferrule 12 is an electric bulb 16 and a cap 18 which encases theelectric bulb 16. The lower end of the stem 10 is also provided with abushing 20 which is secured to the stem 10 by means of a pin 22.Removably attached to the bushing 20 is a cylindrical handle 24 whichhouses the power source 26, dry-cell batteries. Press-fittedinto theupper end of the hollow stem 10 is a resilient sleeve member or bushing28 made from a synthetic resin and provided with an axial bore 30.Extending through the axial bore 30 is a bare end portion 34 of asynthetic resin covered wire 32 which connects the power source 26 tothe bulb 16. In assembly, the bare end portion 34 is first pulled out ofthe sleeve 28 to a required length, and then the shank 38 of a metalterminal plug 36 is press-fitted into the bore 30. The terminal plug 36is designed to contact the bottom terminal of bulb 16. The press-fitsecures the bare end 34 of the wire 32 in the bore 30 between the sleevemember 28 and the shank 38 of the terminal plug 36. Preferably, theterminal plug 36 is constructed of a material that will provide aresilient contact with the bottom terminal of the bulb 16; The bushing28 serves as an insulator, isolating the'bottom terminal -17 of the bulb16 from the metal tube 10.

A terminal plug 40 is likewise press-fitted into the axial 'bore 44 ofan insulating bushing member 42 which, in turn, is press-fitted into thelower end of the stem 10 to provide a contact with the dry-cells housedin the handle 24. The handle 24 and the stem 10 are also press-fittedtogether by means of a conductive bushing 20. Protruding from the bottomof the handle 24 is a switch 46 by which the bulb 16 may be turned onand off. One pole of the power source 26 communicates through wire 32with the metal terminal plug 36, which, in turn, is in contact with thebottom terminal 17 of the bulb 16. The other pole of the power source 26communicates with the other terminal of the bulb 16 (the metal threadedportion) through the switch 46, the conductive cylindrical handle 24,the conductive bushing 20, the conductive stem 10, and through theconductive ferrule 12.

The assembly procedure previously described is repeated to affix thebare end 34 of covered wire 32 to the terminal plug 40. The bare end 34is first pulled out from the sleeve 42 to a required length and then theshank of the metal plug or terminal 40 is press-fitted into the axialbore 44 to rigidly mount the terminal therein and to secure the bare end34 of the wire 32. This provision permits the easy installation of anelectric wire within the stem with the wire having a minimum length tobring the wire into tension when installed. Tension in the wire 32precludes the possibility of incurring mechanical problems such as thebinding of the latch means 48, etc.

Alternatively, the wire installation procedure described above may beused to seal only one end of the tubular stem, while the other end ofthe wire may be affixed to the terminal by any conventional means.

The combination of the resilient synthetic resin insulator bushings andthe solid metal terminal plugs provides water-tight seals at both endsof the stem. The bared ends of the wire are also isolated from theinterior of the stem by these seals. Accordingly, even if rain waterleaks into the stem through slits provided for latching mechanisms, orthe like, the seals will prevent water from gaining access to either theelectrical contacts for the bulb or the power source. This featureavoids potential electrical problems due to corrosion or shortcircuiting caused by water accumulated within the stem.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the umbrella of the presentinvention. The embodiment of FIG. 3 provides an improvement at theterminal connection for ease of repair when an electric failure occurs.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, access to the terminal 36 isdifficult because of the construction. The embodiment of FIG. 3 solvesthis problem by providing the stem 52 with a second ferrule or bushing54 in addition to bushing 58, which latter bushing is similar in designto bushing 12 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. This second bushing 54 isrigidly affixed to the end of the tubular stem 52 and secured by meansof pin 56. Bushings 54 and 58 are threaded together to allow for accessto the terminal plug 68. Fitted into the upper end of the hollow stem 52is a resilient insulating sleeve member 64 made from a synthetic resin.The sleeve member 64 is provided with an axial bore 65 whichreceivesa'terminal plug 68 press-fitted therein. Unlike the-terminalplug of thepreviously described embodiment, the terminal plug 68 isprovided with a shank portion 72 of hollow construction. A bared end 67of insulated wire 66 is inserted into the hollow shank 72 of theterminal plug 68. The hollow shank 72 is then crimped to secure wire end67 and to provide the shank wall 72 with a swaged configuration. Thehead portion 70 of the terminal plug 68 is in contact with the bottomterminal of a bulb 60. The bulb 60 is covered by a translucent capmember 62. In the event of an electrical failure at the terminal contactplugs of this embodiment, access for repair can readily be obtained byunscrewing the bushing 58 from the ferrule or bushing 54.

FIG. 4 shows the entire umbrella. The cover or canopy 74 is supported bya plurality of main ribs 76 which are pivotally attached to an upperferrule 78. A number of auxilairy links 80 serve to support the mainribs 76 when the umbrella is open. The auxiliary links 80 are pivotallyattached to a lower ferrule 82 which is adfixed to a runner 84 thatslides on the stem 52 and which is retained by latching means or detent48 when the umbrella is open.

Other embodiments and changes and modifications of the umbrella of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.Obvious and equivalent embodiments and modifications thereof areintended to be included within the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An umbrella comprising a hollow tubular member, a bushing memberpress-fitted into one end of said hollow tubular member, said bushingmember being of a resilient, electrical insulating material and havingan axial bore extending therethrough, and a metal terminal plugpress-fitted into said axial bore of said bushing member, said bushingmember and said terminal plug forming a water-tight seal at said one endof said hollow tubular member, means detachably connected to saidtubular member for supporting an electric lamp in electrical connectionwith said terminal plug, means for supporting an electrical power sourcenear the other end of said tubular member, and an electrical conductorwire disposed in said tubular member, one end portion of said wire beingadapted for connection to said power source, and the other end portionof said wire being press-fitted between the inner surface of said axialbore of said bushing member and an outer surface portion of said'metalterminal plug.

2. The umbrella of claim 1 wherein said bushing member has a hollowshank portion extending within said. tubular member and an annularshoulder portion engaging said one end of said tubular member.

3. The umbrella of claim 1 further comprising a handle portion housingsaid power source and connected to said other end portion of saidtubular member.

4. The umbrella of claim 3 further comprising a hand-operable switchdisposed in said handle portion for turning the lamp on and off.

5. The, umbrella of claim 1 further comprising an additional bushingmember press-fitted into the other end of said hollow tubular member,said additional bushing member being of a resilient, electricalinsulating material and having an axial bore extending therethrough, andan additional metal terminal plug press-fitted into said latter axialbore, said additional terminal plug engaging said power source. and saidone end portion of said electrical conductor wire to transfer saidelectrical energy from said power source to said electrical conductor.

6. An umbrella comprising a hollow tubular member, a bushing memberpress-fitted into one end of saidhollow tubular member, said bushingmember being of a resilient, electrical insulating material and havingan axial bore extending therethrough, and a metal terminal plugpressfitted into said axial bore of said bushing member, said terminalplug having a hollow shank portion, said bushing member and saidterminal plug forming a water-tight seal at said one end of said hollowtubular member, means detachably connected to said tubular member forsupporting an electric lamp in electrical connection with said terminalplug, means for supporting an electrical power source near the other endof said tubular member, and anelectrical conductor wire disposed in saidtubular member, one end portion of said wire being adapted forconnection to said power source, and the other end portion of said wirebeing press-fitted within said hollow shank portion of said metalterminal plug.

7. The umbrella of claim 6 wherein said bushing member has a hollowshank portion extending within said tubular member and an annularshoulder portion engaging said one end of said tubular member.

8. The umbrella of claim 7 further comprising a handle portion housingsaid power source and connected to said other end portion of saidtubular member.

9. The umbrella of claim 8 further comprising a hand-operable switchdisposed in said handle portion for turning the lamp on and off.i

10. The umbrella of claim 9 further comprising an additional bushingmember press-fitted into the other end of said hollow tubular member,said additional bushing member being of a resilient, electricalinsulating material and having an axial bore extending therethrough, andan additional metal terminal plug pressfitted into said latter axialbore, said additional terminal plug engaging said power source and saidone end portion of said electrical conductor wire to transfer saidelectrical energy from said power source to said electrical conductor.

11. An umbrella comprising a hollow tubular memher, a bushing memberpress-fitted into one of said hollow tubular member, said bushing memberbeing of a resilient, electrical insulating material and having an axialbore extending therethrough, and a metal terminal plug press-fitted intosaid axial bore of said bushing member, said bushing member and saidterminal plug forming a water-tight seal assembly at said one end ofsaid hollow tubular member, means attachably connected to said tubularmember for supporting an electric lampin electrical connection with saidterminal plug, means for supporting an electrical power source near theother end of said tubular member, and an electrical conductor wiredisposed in said tubular member, one end portion of said conductor beingadapted for connectionto said power source, and the other end portion ofsaid wire being press-fitted into said seal assembly.

12. The umbrella of claim 11 wherein said bushing member has a hollowshank portion extending within said tubular member and an annularshoulder portion engaging said one end of said tubular member.

1. An umbrella comprising a hollow tubular member, a bushing memberpress-fitted into one end of said hollow tubular member, said bushingmember being of a resilient, electrical insulating material and havingan axial bore extending therethrough, and a metal terminal plugpress-fitted into said axial bore of said bushing member, said bushingmember and said terminal plug forming a water-tight seal at said one endof said hollow tubular member, means detachably connected to saidtubular member for supporting an electric lamp in electrical connectionwith said terminal plug, means for supporting an electrical power sourcenear the other end of said tubular member, and an electrical conductorwire disposed in said tubular member, one end portion of said wire beingadapted for connection to said power source, And the other end portionof said wire being press-fitted between the inner surface of said axialbore of said bushing member and an outer surface portion of said metalterminal plug.
 2. The umbrella of claim 1 wherein said bushing memberhas a hollow shank portion extending within said tubular member and anannular shoulder portion engaging said one end of said tubular member.3. The umbrella of claim 1 further comprising a handle portion housingsaid power source and connected to said other end portion of saidtubular member.
 4. The umbrella of claim 3 further comprising ahand-operable switch disposed in said handle portion for turning thelamp on and off.
 5. The umbrella of claim 1 further comprising anadditional bushing member press-fitted into the other end of said hollowtubular member, said additional bushing member being of a resilient,electrical insulating material and having an axial bore extendingtherethrough, and an additional metal terminal plug press-fitted intosaid latter axial bore, said additional terminal plug engaging saidpower source and said one end portion of said electrical conductor wireto transfer said electrical energy from said power source to saidelectrical conductor.
 6. An umbrella comprising a hollow tubular member,a bushing member press-fitted into one end of said hollow tubularmember, said bushing member being of a resilient, electrical insulatingmaterial and having an axial bore extending therethrough, and a metalterminal plug press-fitted into said axial bore of said bushing member,said terminal plug having a hollow shank portion, said bushing memberand said terminal plug forming a water-tight seal at said one end ofsaid hollow tubular member, means detachably connected to said tubularmember for supporting an electric lamp in electrical connection withsaid terminal plug, means for supporting an electrical power source nearthe other end of said tubular member, and an electrical conductor wiredisposed in said tubular member, one end portion of said wire beingadapted for connection to said power source, and the other end portionof said wire being press-fitted within said hollow shank portion of saidmetal terminal plug.
 7. The umbrella of claim 6 wherein said bushingmember has a hollow shank portion extending within said tubular memberand an annular shoulder portion engaging said one end of said tubularmember.
 8. The umbrella of claim 7 further comprising a handle portionhousing said power source and connected to said other end portion ofsaid tubular member.
 9. The umbrella of claim 8 further comprising ahand-operable switch disposed in said handle portion for turning thelamp on and off.
 10. The umbrella of claim 9 further comprising anadditional bushing member press-fitted into the other end of said hollowtubular member, said additional bushing member being of a resilient,electrical insulating material and having an axial bore extendingtherethrough, and an additional metal terminal plug press-fitted intosaid latter axial bore, said additional terminal plug engaging saidpower source and said one end portion of said electrical conductor wireto transfer said electrical energy from said power source to saidelectrical conductor.
 11. An umbrella comprising a hollow tubularmember, a bushing member press-fitted into one of said hollow tubularmember, said bushing member being of a resilient, electrical insulatingmaterial and having an axial bore extending therethrough, and a metalterminal plug press-fitted into said axial bore of said bushing member,said bushing member and said terminal plug forming a water-tight sealassembly at said one end of said hollow tubular member, means attachablyconnected to said tubular member for supporting an electric lamp inelectrical connection with said terminal plug, means for supporting anelectrical power source near the other end of said tubular member, andan electrical conductor wire disposed in said tubular member, one endportion of said conductor being adapted for connection to said powersource, and the other end portion of said wire being press-fitted intosaid seal assembly.
 12. The umbrella of claim 11 wherein said bushingmember has a hollow shank portion extending within said tubular memberand an annular shoulder portion engaging said one end of said tubularmember.